FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(New Haven, CT) –New Haven State’s Attorney John P. Doyle, Jr. announced today that a jury in New Haven Superior Court on November 8, 2022 found Karin Ziolkowski guilty of the crime of Murder in violation of Connecticut General Statutes § 53a-54a and Arson in the Second Degree in violation Connecticut General Statutes § 53a-112. The Honorable Jon M. Alander presided over the trial.
According to evidence introduced at trial, Ziolkowski asphyxiated her 8-year-old son, Elijah Ziolkowski, while in their home in Meriden on November 14, 2016. She then intentionally set two fires in the home. The child was not able to be resuscitated on scene and his death was ruled a homicide by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.
The case was investigated by the Meriden Police Department with the assistance of the City of Meriden Department of Fire and Emergency Services, the Division of Scientific Services within the State of Connecticut Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection and the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner. The case was prosecuted by Supervisory Assistant State’s Attorney Stacey Miranda and Assistant State’s Attorney Melissa Holmes.
“Our thoughts are with Elijah’s family at this time and we hope this verdict eases some of the suffering they’ve endured after the unimaginable loss of a child,” State’s Attorney Doyle said. “We also would like to extend our appreciation to the Meriden police, firefighters and EMTs as well as those in the Division of Scientific Services and the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner who worked on this case. Though they are trained to handle investigations involving the deaths of children, we know this work can take a toll both physically and emotionally.”
Sentencing is scheduled for January 10, 2023 in New Haven Superior Court.